Ecclesiastes 8:9 kjv
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 nkjv
All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 niv
All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 esv
All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 nlt
I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ecc 3:16 | I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness... | Justice corrupted by human failing. |
| Ecc 4:1 | Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun... | Direct observation of pervasive oppression. |
| Ecc 5:8 | If you see in a province the oppression of the poor... | High-level oppression in governmental structures. |
| 1 Sam 8:11-18 | He said, "These will be the ways of the king... will take your sons... your daughters... your fields... servants... sheep... and you yourselves will be his slaves." | Prophecy of king's oppressive rule. |
| Prov 28:15 | A wicked ruler over a poor people is like a roaring lion... | Comparison of a bad ruler to a destructive beast. |
| Isa 3:12 | My people—infants are their oppressors... O my people, your guides mislead you... | Leaders leading their people astray and oppressing them. |
| Jer 22:13-17 | "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness... your eyes and heart are only on your dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood..." | Example of an unjust king, Jehoiakim. |
| Mic 3:1-3 | "Hear, you heads of Jacob... who hate good and love evil, who tear the skin from my people..." | Leaders exploiting and destroying their people. |
| Lk 22:25-26 | And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them... But not so with you..." | Contrast between worldly and servant leadership. |
| Mk 10:42-45 | "...you know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them... But whoever would be great among you must be your servant..." | Jesus' teaching on selfless service, not oppressive power. |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. | Authority's divine origin, despite its potential for misuse. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west... But God is the judge; He puts down one and exalts another. | God's ultimate control over all human positions and power. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will. | God's sovereignty even over the will of rulers. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings... | God's divine control over the rise and fall of empires. |
| Psa 82:1-4 | God stands in the divine assembly... Judge righteously the poor and needy. | Divine demand for justice from human authorities. |
| Ecc 1:14 | I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity... | Qoheleth's general conclusion on earthly pursuits. |
| Ecc 1:13 | ...applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven... | Diligent inquiry into the futility of human existence. |
| Ecc 7:25 | I turned my mind to know and to search out and to seek wisdom... | Qoheleth's intellectual pursuit to understand life's mysteries. |
| Prov 24:32 | I saw and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. | Observational learning, similar to Qoheleth's approach. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples... | Christian leadership must avoid domineering tendencies. |
Ecclesiastes 8 verses
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Meaning
This verse states Qoheleth's personal observation: he diligently examined all earthly human endeavors, and specifically noted how often human authority, when exercised over other people, results in harm to the subjects. It points to a recurring pattern of injustice and oppression arising from the misuse of power "under the sun," emphasizing the inherent flaws and frustrating limitations of the human condition apart from divine intervention.
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Context
Ecclesiastes 8 begins with a call for wisdom in dealing with governmental authority (verses 1-5), advising obedience to the king while subtly noting the limits of a king's power and wisdom. Qoheleth then reflects on the inability of humanity to know or control their future, especially concerning the hour of death (verses 6-8). Verse 9 acts as a crucial observation stemming from this discussion about human limitations and power. It contrasts the ideal of kingship with the common reality of abusive rule, where human power, instead of bringing order and justice, often results in the harm and suffering of the very people it governs. This fits within Qoheleth's broader exploration of life "under the sun"—the limitations, paradoxes, and injustices that make human endeavors seem "vanity" or futile.
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Word analysis
- All this: (כָּל־זֶה - kol-zeh) Refers to Qoheleth's extensive observations and inquiries, particularly concerning wisdom, folly, destiny, and the power of rulers as described in previous verses and chapters. It emphasizes a comprehensive empirical scope.
- I have seen: (רָאִיתִי - ra'iti) Indicates personal, experiential observation. Qoheleth doesn't merely theorize; he carefully examines the realities of life. This phrase is a common motif in Ecclesiastes, underscoring his observational methodology.
- and applied my heart: (וְנָתוֹן אֶת־לִבִּי - v'nathon et-libi, lit. "and given my heart"). The "heart" (לֵב - lev) in Hebrew thought is not just the seat of emotion, but also the center of intellect, will, and moral decision-making. "Applied my heart" signifies diligent mental effort, deep contemplation, and commitment to understanding.
- to every work: (לְכָל־מַעֲשֶׂה - l'khol-ma'aseh) Refers to all human activities, deeds, and undertakings. This signifies Qoheleth's thoroughness in his investigation into every facet of life's endeavors.
- that is done under the sun: (שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ - she'na'asah tachat ha-shemesh) A foundational and recurring phrase in Ecclesiastes. It delineates Qoheleth's perspective as one limited to the earthly, observable realm, without explicit divine revelation as a primary source. This perspective often leads to conclusions of futility and frustration due to life's apparent meaninglessness and injustice without a higher context.
- when man exercises authority over man: (אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַט הָאָדָם בְּאָדָם - asher shalat ha-adam b'adam) The verb "שָׁלַט" (shalat) often denotes power or domination. While it can mean rightful rule, in this context, it carries a strong connotation of oppressive or tyrannical power, beyond mere governance. This highlights a pervasive issue in human societies.
- to his hurt: (לְרַע לוֹ - l'ra' lo) This phrase explicitly states the negative outcome of such power dynamics. "רַע" (ra') means evil, calamity, harm, or hurt. The authority is used in a way that directly harms or causes suffering to the person being ruled, underscoring the destructive potential of human power divorced from divine righteousness.
- "All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun": This segment illustrates Qoheleth's rigorous, experiential methodology. He is a careful observer and profound thinker, investing his intellect and effort to grasp the complexities of human life and activity within the temporal world. It sets the stage for a critical conclusion based on lived reality.
- "when man exercises authority over man to his hurt": This part highlights one of Qoheleth's most poignant observations about injustice. It focuses on the abuse of power, a profound source of suffering and vanity in human society. It's a statement about the corrupting nature of unbridled human power and its detrimental impact on the oppressed, a reality Qoheleth found deeply unsettling and pervasive.
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Bonus section
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of authority in a fallen world. While Romans 13 affirms that all authority is instituted by God for order and good, Ecclesiastes 8:9 vividly illustrates the corrupt execution of that authority by sinful humanity. It’s a biblical statement on the paradox of power: necessary for societal function, yet deeply prone to abuse, leading to the hurt of the governed. Qoheleth’s raw, empirical observation anticipates many historical and contemporary examples of tyranny, exploitation, and systemic injustice where power is wielded selfishly rather than righteously. This understanding grounds Christian social ethics in realism, acknowledging the world's brokenness even while striving for justice inspired by divine ideals.
Ecclesiastes 8 9 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8:9 captures one of Qoheleth's bleakest yet most accurate observations about the human condition "under the sun." After urging wisdom and discretion in dealing with kings and power, he abruptly reveals a raw truth: his exhaustive examination of human endeavors reveals a systemic problem where individuals in authority inevitably cause harm to those beneath them. This is not merely an occasional unfortunate event but a widespread reality where power is misused, leading to suffering and injustice. It underscores the profound limitation of humanity's ability to create perfectly just systems, contributing to Qoheleth's theme of "vanity" or futility in a world where good outcomes are not guaranteed and righteousness often goes unrewarded. It calls attention to the fallen nature of humanity, where even necessary structures of governance are prone to corruption and oppression, exposing a fundamental brokenness in society.